Melissa Wetzel
Honors Biology, Section 3
Westerly High School
Description
This class is full of twenty students, seven females and thirteen males. It is an Honors Biology course.
Reflections
1. Describe key trends that you discovered for this class?
There are a few trends I've noticed with this class. For some reason, multiple students in this class have a problem with excessive absences. Most are pretty good at keeping up with the work that they've missed, but the rest have more of an issue getting late work to me and their grades are suffering because of this. The class is split pretty evenly as far as willing to share answers. Half of the class raises their hands to answer every question or to make a comment. The other half of the class is almost silent and it's hard to get them to share ideas in class. The class is split half and half between juniors and sophomores.
2. Describe the needs, interests, and characteristics of your learners that surprised you.
Since this in an honors class, these students are very interested in the material and ask a lot of detailed questions. I cannot answer every question, so I've started an extra credit system where students can research answers and share with the class. Overall, this is a very witty class. They're always thinking on their feet and have a great sense of humor.
3. How will these characteristics affect the way you plan, teach, and manage this class?
These students need me to always have extra enrichment work planned for the students who wish to go above and beyond, and detailed enough lessons so they don't get bored in class. I need to develop quizzes and tests that require them to apply knowledge rather than just regurgitate because their thinking is so high level. I also have to make sure that every person is contributing in class in order to make the class interesting and challenging.
Melissa Wetzel
Honors Biology, Section 3
Westerly High School
Description
This class is full of twenty students, seven females and thirteen males. It is an Honors Biology course.Reflections
1. Describe key trends that you discovered for this class?
There are a few trends I've noticed with this class. For some reason, multiple students in this class have a problem with excessive absences. Most are pretty good at keeping up with the work that they've missed, but the rest have more of an issue getting late work to me and their grades are suffering because of this. The class is split pretty evenly as far as willing to share answers. Half of the class raises their hands to answer every question or to make a comment. The other half of the class is almost silent and it's hard to get them to share ideas in class. The class is split half and half between juniors and sophomores.
2. Describe the needs, interests, and characteristics of your learners that surprised you.
Since this in an honors class, these students are very interested in the material and ask a lot of detailed questions. I cannot answer every question, so I've started an extra credit system where students can research answers and share with the class. Overall, this is a very witty class. They're always thinking on their feet and have a great sense of humor.
3. How will these characteristics affect the way you plan, teach, and manage this class?
These students need me to always have extra enrichment work planned for the students who wish to go above and beyond, and detailed enough lessons so they don't get bored in class. I need to develop quizzes and tests that require them to apply knowledge rather than just regurgitate because their thinking is so high level. I also have to make sure that every person is contributing in class in order to make the class interesting and challenging.